Lap #13.

Sorry for the unannounced ghosting. Life caught up quickly, and I cannot write, let alone think, when I’m stressed and busy. But, a lot has happened, especially in the whisky, watches, and wheels world, so lets pour a dram, and dive in! Oh, and i’ve officially booked my Scotland trip this year. Here I come Talisker, Benromach, Springbank, Oban and Cadenheads!

                                                                           -Mark

Whisky

Okay, so onto some release news: hitting the shelves very soon should be the annual release of Jack Daniels 10 & 12! While these aren't your grandfather's JDs (No. 7), I found it hard to disassociate the two when they first dropped a few years ago. I’ve since become smitten with them (no, not Stockholm syndrome…) and other bottlings from Jack Daniels in general. Their Bonded in Bond is one of my favorites under $40. While these come with a higher price point and proof ($80 for 10 at 48.5%, and $95 for 12 at 53.5%), I think with that age statement and proof it’s about on par, although slightly on the higher end. I have batch one of the 10yo and would be totally interested in trying some of the newest batches (2 or 3). I wouldn’t say you need to add one in, but I would say, if you’re looking for your next unique bottle, get one. As long as the price doesn’t get crazy, that is. I’ve seen some go upwards of $120+ for the 10yo, and that is not worth it.

On a Scotch note, there are some new things coming to Islay! Port Ellen distillery, which closed its doors in 1983, is undergoing a revival following a significant $44 million investment by Diageo. The reopening is highly anticipated by whisky enthusiasts, as the distillery aims to recapture the unique flavors of its original single malts. With a production capacity of 800,000 liters annually, all output will be dedicated exclusively to Port Ellen whisky, promising a return to its cherished legacy. Meanwhile, Ardgowan's long-awaited malt whisky distillery project, delayed since its inception in 2017, has finally commenced construction. With a focus on sustainability, the distillery aims to be carbon-negative and will initially produce just under 265,000 gallons of malt whisky per year. The distillation team, led by esteemed experts such as Max McFarlane, Ian Macmillan, and Stuart McPherson, brings unparalleled expertise to ensure the quality and success of the endeavor. Another distillery, Laggan Bay, is set to break ground this year. Islay is going to be even more awesome!

New Riff, based out of Newport Kentucky, announced their first-ever Master Distiller, Brian Sprance. Before New Riff distillery's establishment in 2014, Sprance was recruited as head distiller by founder Ken Lewis. Recognizing the importance of fermentation in flavor creation, Lewis valued Sprance's expertise gained as a brewer at the Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams). Mentored by consulting master distiller and a rye god, Larry Ebersold, they laid the foundation for New Riff's spirits. Now appointed master distiller, Sprance's focus remains on crafting world-class whiskey, marking a significant milestone for New Riff amidst upcoming expansions and celebrations. I’ve been super impressed with my New Riff’s in the past. I’ve had most of their limited bottlings over the years and continue to pick them up. I highly recommend them.

Watches

Image from press release.

While Omega may have scored the "moon watch" title, Bulova isn't about to let that eclipse its cosmic contributions. Back in 1971, astronaut Dave Scott chose a Bulova timepiece for his lunar adventure during the Apollo 15 mission – talk about a stellar choice! Fast forward to today, and Bulova launches the Lunar Pilot Meteorite watch, featuring a dial crafted from a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite. Yep, you read that right – a watch that's older than your dad's favorite dad joke. With only 5,000 limited edition pieces available, each watch is as unique as a shooting star, guaranteeing you'll stand out in any crowd. The steel-titanium hybrid case keeps things light – because why carry the weight of the universe on your wrist when you can have a watch that's as light as a moonbeam? 

Image from press release.

An engraved caseback commemorates Scott's historic moonwalk, adding a touch of nostalgia to your intergalactic style. And with a leather NATO strap, you'll be ready for any spacewalk or sidewalk – because let's face it, navigating through crowded streets can feel like traversing the cosmos sometimes. Inside, Bulova's NP20 High Precision Quartz movement ensures accuracy to 1/20th of a second – perfect for those moments when you need to time your pizza delivery down to the millisecond. Priced at $1,495, the Lunar Pilot Meteorite may cost a bit more than your average Earth-bound watch, but hey, who can put a price on having a piece of space history right on your wrist? So go ahead, treat yourself to a watch that's out of this world – just make sure to keep an eye out for any alien admirers! More info here.

Image from press release.

Back in the day, finding a decent mechanical watch that wouldn't break the bank was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But fear not, Seiko was there to save the day! Enter the Cocktail Time series, a true gem in Seiko's lineup since 2010. These babies offer luxury vibes without the wallet-denting price tag – talk about a win-win! And now, Seiko's gone and jazzed up the lineup with a collab straight out of a Tokyo bar scene. Remember Hisashi Kishi and STAR BAR's 2022 collab with Seiko? Yeah, that was a hit. But they're back at it again, this time drawing inspiration from Tokyo's skyline and some proprietary cocktails. The result? A pair of watches with dials so dreamy, you'll swear you're sipping cocktails in a wood-paneled basement bar.

Image from press release.

First up, we've got the SRPK75, AKA the Purple Sunset – a sleek 40.5mm stunner with a navy-to-purple gradient dial. And for the ladies, there's the SRE014, or as I like to call it, the Pinky Twilight – a rose gold beauty measuring in at 30.3mm. Both dials are adorned with bold horizontal stripes and cloud-inspired wave patterns, because who says watches can't be whimsical? These babies are water-resistant, blinged out with gold-tone markers, and come with a trusty date function. Plus, they're skinny legends – just 11.8mm for the Purple Sunset and 10.9mm for the Pinky Twilight.

Image from press release.

Now, since these watches are as different as night and day (ha), they're powered by different movements. The Purple Sunset rocks the reliable 4R35, while the Pinky Twilight struts its stuff with the 2R05. With only 9,000 Purple Sunsets and 5,000 Pinky Twilights up for grabs, it's like snagging the last cocktail at happy hour. And at $525 and $575, they're a steal for a slice of Tokyo nightlife on your wrist. So why settle for a dull watch when you can sip on style with Seiko? Cheers to that! More info here.

Image from press release.

Honestly, the Essence 39 from Formex is one of my weekly go-tos. I’ve even added a Reef (42mm version) to my collection, and I just can't get over the quality Formex offers. Well, yesterday, Worn & Wound unveiled a new limited edition of the Essences 39, the Essence Sector 39 Chronometer. They’re dubbing it a “watch from another world” due to the Essences case's futuristic suspension case, paired with a vintage sector dial. It’s an odd combo, considering the Essences case's futuristic design, making the vintage dial inclusion feel a bit strange. Yet, this is precisely what Zach and the team aimed for. It’s a watch that I believe you either love or hate. There seems to be no middle ground, given its stark contrast and evocative feel. 

Image from press release.

This watch isn’t for everyone, and dare I say, not for most. With only 50 per colorway, they seemed to have understood this (along with the associated costs). The three colorways are: white and silver with red and black markers, blue and red accented by white, and a sleek dark gray and beige. Powered by a COSC-certified SW200-1 movement and measuring at 39mm x 45mm x 10mm, I can't help but recommend the Essence 39. They're crafted exceptionally well. These new Worn & Wound LE’s are priced at $1,590, the same as the traditional Essence 39. More info over at Worn & Wounds site.

Images from press release.

Wheels

February 16th, 2024, cannot come quickly enough. Do you know why? Oh, it marks the return of THE GRAND TOUR! It’s bittersweet, really. This means there is only one more episode left, ever. For me, I grew up completely with Clarkson, May, and Hammond. I mean, since the reboot in 2002, I’ve basically been watching it. That’s more than half my lifetime spent with these three (well, sort of. They didn’t all join right away in the reboot). It’s been huge, really. And I’m sure they’ll go onto something more, and people have opinions on these three in general, but they, to me, are one of the reasons I am into cars. Firstly, it was my dad, who is a gearhead. Then Fast and the Furious, mixed with Top Gear. While the Top Gear specials have always been where the trio shine, I can sit for hours rewatching old episodes and laugh like a kid at the same dumb jokes. Maybe part of me is holding onto some nostalgia where I would be able to sit and watch these, whether with my dad or friends, and at the time, have little care in the world. Who knows, but watching these three get older makes me feel sad, but happy, that they’ve been able to do what they love and make people laugh along the way.

This episode is titled “The Sand Job”. “In the remote African country of Mauritania, our trio follows in the footsteps of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally,” reads the logline. “Instead of bespoke Dakar racers, the boys must complete their journey in cheap modified sports cars. Their journey begins with the world’s longest train and sees them tackle the killer Sahara and perilous river crossings, whilst protecting their precious fuel bowser from exploding.” The new special follows in the footsteps of “The Grand Tour: Eurocrash,” which premiered last June. The show’s fifth and final special recently wrapped in Zimbabwe. It is set to launch next year, which will be a very sad day. Official Trailer Here.

While I can still watch, and laugh at “James May, Our Man in ….” whatever country Prime sends him to, or at Clarkson’s Farm, the three together are honestly great. Here’s to forever watching reruns of them and looking to see what comes next. A genius once said “On that terrible disappointment, it’s time to end.”

-Mark

        Chief Enthusiast